Cherokee Officials Decide On Tougher Penalties For Crimes

According to a news release, the intent of the stiffer fines and jail times included in the Cherokee Nation Law and Order Act is to deter Native Americans from committing crimes on tribal lands. Principal Chief Bill John Baker intends to sign the act this week.

Once the act becomes law, Cherokees convicted in Cherokee Nation District Court of serious crimes such as manufacturing methamphetamine or child abuse now face up to three years in jail and up to a $15,000 fine. Previously, the law allowed a maximum one-year sentence and a fine of up to $5,000 for all crimes.

According to the release, the revised criminal code imposes heavier sentences and fines for most crimes, and it allows the tribe to send convicted people to federal prison rather than subsidizing area jails to house them.

“We have a responsibility to protect our people and make the Cherokee Nation as safe as possible,” Baker said.

The act also lowers the legal blood alcohol content limit to 0.08, the same as state law. It also adds stalking as a criminal offense, making it punishable by a $5,000 fine or a year in jail, just as is domestic abuse.

Other changes include making those convicted of starting a fire during a burn ban called by the chief subject to a fine of between $4,000 and $10,000 and/or up to 120 days in jail.

A conviction for illegal trash dumping now carries a fine of $200 to $5,000 or up to a month in jail.

In other business, the Tribal Council:

• Approved a $5 to $20 decrease in vehicle registration fees for most veterans.